Chapter 19: The Journey to Gil'ead

[3,371 words]

The next morning, the atmosphere in the house was tense. Eragon, Brom, and Saphira all understood the stakes of the situation. Brom, while experienced and calculating, seemed more withdrawn than usual, likely lost in thought about the plan ahead.

He will be the main star after all.

They packed quickly, gathering supplies for the journey. Brom made sure they had enough food and water for the road, as well as anything else they might need—cloaks, ropes, and healing herbs. Jeod helped them secure the supplies, though he was unaware of the true purpose of their journey.

"Are you sure you won't stay longer?" Jeod asked, his voice tinged with concern. His lined face reflected both the hardships of life and the depth of his friendship with Brom. "Teirm can offer you shelter for as long as you need it. No one will know you are here."

Brom gave him a tight smile. "Something's come up. We need to be on our way as soon as possible"

Jeod's brow furrowed slightly, but he chose not to pry any deeper. Instead, he gave a measured nod. "Safe travels, then," he said, his tone sincere yet weighed with concern. "But remember, if you ever need anything, my doors are always open. These are dangerous times."

He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing as though he could already see the chaos beyond the walls of his home. "The Empire's grip grows stronger by the day, and the Urgals are becoming bolder in their raids. It's getting harder to find refuge. Outside the cities, there are fewer places left untouched by the turmoil." He paused, glancing out the window, as if the shadows themselves might hold threats.

"We will be cautious," Eragon replied with a reassuring smile. His heart pounded with excitement more than fear, the prospect of battle and the journey ahead stirring a fire within him. He shook Jeod's hand firmly, while Brom clapped his old friend on the shoulder before mounting his horse.

"Thank you for everything, Jeod," Brom said quietly, his eyes betraying the deep respect he held for the man. "We'll send word when we can."

Jeod gave them one last look, a mix of hope and concern in his eyes. "May fortune favor you both," he said as they rode off.

Soon they were out of sight of Jeod's home, and as they passed quickly though the gates, the city of Teirm slowly shrank behind them, Eragon could feel the weight of the mission pressing down on him. Brom's grim determination set the tone, and Eragon followed closely behind as they hurried toward Gil'ead. Saphira, as usual, remained hidden outside the city, joining them only when the shadows of night cloaked her majestic form.

---

By the time night fell, they had ridden hard and fast. The land had shifted from the coastal plains around Teirm to rolling hills that stretched endlessly toward the horizon. They made camp in a small grove nestled between two hills, the trees providing them with enough cover from prying eyes.

Brom groaned as he slid off his tired horse, rubbing his lower back with a grimace. "Blasted saddle. My rear's been sore for hours," he muttered, wincing as he stretched out his stiff legs. "This pace isn't doing the horses any favors either."

Eragon, crouched by the firepit, glanced up with a smirk at Brom's grumbling. Despite the long day of riding, his hands worked steadily to build the fire, every movement smooth and practiced. The faint light of the evening reflected in his eyes as the kindling began to catch.

Brom shook his head with a chuckle before turning his attention to the routine of camp—unrolling their bedrolls, gathering wood, and seeing to the horses. The familiar tasks provided a small comfort after the day's grueling pace, the quiet rustling of the leaves and the soft crackling of the fire helping to ease the tension in the air.

"You've gotten better at managing campfires," Brom noted casually, nodding toward the flames. "No more half-burnt logs and wild embers flying about."

Eragon chuckled lightly, finishing with the fire. "Don't forget I've trained in the Spine long before Saphira hatched for me, so I've had plenty of practice by now."

Swoosh~

Just as they had finished setting up camp, the sound of massive wings flapping reached their ears. Eragon smiled as Saphira landed gracefully nearby, her sapphire scales catching the firelight as she padded toward them. Her eyes glinted with warmth as she greeted both Brom and Eragon through their bond.

After they ate, Eragon looked toward Brom, who had settled himself near the fire. "Hey Brom, I have something I want to ask you to do for me, if you're up for it" Eragon began, his voice catching Brom's attention.

Brom raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"I want to know where I stand," Eragon explained, his tone serious. "I want you to try to invade my mind for real. Attempting to break through my defenses with everything you've got, not going easy on me."

Brom's eyes flickered with interest. He regarded Eragon for a long moment before nodding slowly. "It's good that you want to test yourself, knowing your limits is a must." Brom said thoughtfully. "But understand this Eragon, the sensation of having your mind breached and seen by someone is deeply unpleasant and traumatic. Are you sure you're ready for that?"

Eragon met Brom's gaze with a smirk of confidence. "I'm sure"

Saphira shifted nearby, her large head turning to observe both of them. Her amber eyes focused on Eragon with quiet intensity.

'Be careful, Brom is not someone to be underestimated.' Saphira said to him through their bond, her voice a low rumble in his mind.

'I know, that's exactly the reason I want to do this. He is the best person to test myself against.' Eragon reassured her, placing a hand on her snout for a brief moment.

Brom straightened up his back, brushing dirt from his hands. "We'll begin in a minute. Get ready," he instructed, his voice calm but firm.

Eragon nodded, sitting cross-legged on the ground as he began to center himself. The night was still, save for the crackling of the fire and the occasional crickets chirping.

Brom closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply as he prepared. Then, without warning, he launched a mental assault, his consciousness battering against Eragon's mental shields with a ferocity Eragon had not expected.

The attacks were relentless as if waves, like a thousand blades slicing through his defenses one after the other. At times, Brom's mental presence felt like sharp dagger trying to pierce through every crack in his shield. Then, without warning, the assault would shift—heavy and blunt, like a sledgehammer trying to shatter the very walls of Eragon's mind.

'He went easy on me this much?!' Eragon clenched his jaw, his brow furrowing as he resisted the onslaught. He recalled with deep clarity his training, every piece of advice Brom had imparted to him over the last few months on resisting a having his mind invaded. He held firm, refusing to let his shields falter. The pressure was immense, the weight of Brom's mental presence bearing down on him like an iron fist.

Minutes passed, then stretched into longer and longer intervals as they remained locked in a battle of wills. Slowly, Eragon actively lowered his mental shield, letting his natural defense do the job of defending his mind so has to allow his Mental Invasion Resistance to level up.

Though Eragon's mental defenses held, sweat began to bead on his forehead, and his heartbeat pounded in his ears.

He could hear his system alert him repeatedly in his mind:

[Mental Invasion Resistance Level 79]

[Mental Invasion Resistance Level 80]

[Pain Resistance Level 165]

Each level-up made it easier for him to block Brom's advances, his defense growing stronger with each passing moment faster then ever before. His Resistance Perk worked tirelessly, adapting to every new strategy Brom employed. The strain was beginning to show Eragon's guess was correct, the more pressure he was under the faster his Mental Invasion Resistance advensed.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Brom exhaled sharply and pulled back, releasing Eragon's mind from the assault. He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked at Eragon with an approving smile. "You did better than I expected, a lot better in fact. Your mental defenses have improved so much in this few months, that I don't think anyone can breach your mental shield without putting a lot of work into it, If at all..."

Brom admitted, his voice warm with pride. "I've never seen anyone more talented at mind defense than you. Your skill has surpassed even my initial expectations. But," he added, his tone shifting to something more instructive, "don't get too comfortable focusing only on defense. You'll need to strike back just as fiercely when the time comes. Spend some time working on your mental attacks too, to keep things balanced. A sword is only as sharp as you can swing it."

Eragon, despite the faint headache that throbbed at his temples, smiled back. He was pleased. 'Pain Resistance is doing its job well, and my Mental Invasion Resistance leveled so much in just one setting.' he thought with a grim sense of satisfaction. The discomfort wasn't enough to truly bother him.

"I'm not interested in breaking into people's minds just yet," Eragon replied, shaking his head. "I'd rather focus on defense for the time being before I add more things to my plate."

Brom nodded, seeming pleased with Eragon's answer. "Good. It's also wise not to eat more than you can chew. It also shows that your heart isn't set on hurting others but on protecting yourself. Though still," he added, "attacking when necessary can save your life. Keep that in mind."

With that, Brom stretched his arms and gave a weary yawn. "I'll take the second watch. Get some rest, Eragon."

Eragon gave a nod, then watched as Brom settled into his bedroll, turning his back to the fire. With Brom asleep, Eragon turned his attention to Saphira, who had been observing the mind battle intently from the side.

'How do you feel?' Saphira asked through their bond, her concern evident in the tone of her voice.

'It was intense,' Eragon admitted, rubbing his temples with his fingers. 'But it was worth it. Every second of resistance made me stronger. I could feel myself getting better, faster than ever before.'

Saphira hummed softly in approval. 'You are stronger than you show. And this will only make you better prepared for what's to come.'

Eragon leaned back and opened his system panel, reviewing the notifications he had received during the mental battle.

[Pain Resistance Level 165]

[Radiation Resistance Level 190]

[Fatigue Resistance Level 211]

[Abrasion Resistance Level 150]

[Heat Resistance Level 178]

[Blunt Force Resistance Level 118]

[Oxygen Deprivation Resistance Level 87]

[Vertigo Resistance Level 78]

[Irritant Resistance Level 23]

[Cold Resistance Level 152]

[Poison Resistance Level 45]

[Sleep Deprivation Resistance Level 157]

[Alcohol Resistance Level 12]

[Cut Resistance Level 56]

[Hunger Resistance Level 74]

[Pressure Resistance Level 21]

[Dehydration Resistance Level 75]

[Sickness Resistance Level 21]

[Virus Resistance Level 3]

[Sensory Overload Resistance Level 54]

[Magic Resistance Level 91]

[Mental Invasion Resistance Level 84]

His eyes flickered over the different resistance levels, his mind analyzing them with a critical eye. 'I'll put Poison Resistance and Sickness Resistance on hold for now,' he thought to himself. 'I need to focus more on Cut Resistance, Magic Resistance and Mental Resistance, given the dangers we'll face in Gil'ead.'

As Eragon closed the system panel, he couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come since his reincarnation. The changes to his body, the strengthening of his mind, and his growing bond with Saphira—it all felt like he was being molded into something more than just a dragon rider. Something greater.

But that didn't mean he was going to waste time. The moment Brom was asleep, Eragon drew on his magic using the Ancient Language. He made small, precise slashes on his skin with a sharpened wind blade, just deep enough to draw blood, and then healed the wounds swiftly with magic. Each cut, each healing, increased his Cut Resistance and Magic Resistance, slowly but surely.

Like this, another week passed. Brom continued to push Eragon's training during the day while riding, and at night, Eragon didn't slack either, working on his resistance training under the cover of darkness, only sleeping for 2 hours a night. The routine became grueling, but Eragon thrived on it.

Finally, they arrived at a hidden valley just outside Gil'ead. It was a secluded spot, perfect for hiding Saphira and their camp while they gathered information.

Brom turned to Eragon, wiping sweat from his brow after the harsh ride. "We'll rest here for the night," Brom said, dismounting his horse. "Tomorrow, we'll enter the city and gather information if Arya's location is really at the fortress."

Eragon nodded, already slipping into his usual role of volunteering for the first night watch. "I'll take the first shift," he offered, as was his usual custom.

Brom, however, gave him a sideways glance. "Don't train tonight," he said with a tone of gentle authority. "I know you're eager to get stronger, but there will be plenty of challenges to face tomorrow. You should rest and save your strength. No training tonight, Eragon."

Eragon hesitated but eventually nodded. He understood Brom's concern, though the constant urge to improve gnawed at him. His resistances, his physique—everything about him grew stronger the more he trained. But Brom's reasoning held weight. Tomorrow would be critical.

"Alright," Eragon conceded, his voice quiet. "I understand."

As Brom began setting up his bedroll, Eragon found himself wandering toward Saphira, who had landed just moments earlier, her brilliant sapphire scales shimmering even in the dimming light.

Saphira lowered her head to meet Eragon's gaze, her large eyes filled with intelligence and a fierce protectiveness that had grown over the past months.

'Are you ready for tomorrow?' Eragon thought, knowing she would catch his meaning.

'I'm more then ready, finally I will no longer have to hide! Tomorrow will be the day everyone will know there are once again dragons fighting against the Oath-Breaker!' Saphira gave a slow, deliberate nod, her tail flicking behind her as if in anticipation. She nudged Eragon gently with her snout, a gesture that filled him with warmth.

Feeling the exhaustion of the week finally catch up to him, Eragon decided to follow Brom's advice. He moved to a quiet spot near the Saphira and crossed his legs, entering a state of meditation. Though his body rested, his mind remained alert, ever watchful for any threats that might encroach upon their camp.

Hours passed in this peaceful state until, an hour passed midnight, Brom stirred from his light sleep. The older man stretched and then walked over to Eragon, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Your turn to sleep," he said, his voice low but commanding.

Eragon opened his eyes and nodded, standing and stretching out the stiffness in his muscles. "Thank you," he said before heading to his bedroll. As he settled in, he felt the comfort of Saphira's presence nearby, and the promise of tomorrow's challenges seemed a little less daunting. Sleep came quickly, the night passing without incident.

---

The next morning, as the first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, Eragon glanced at Saphira, who was perched nearby, her sapphire eyes glowing softly in the soft morning light.

'I will stay close,' she said. 'If you need me, I will come in a heartbeat.'

Eragon nodded. 'Stay hidden until we know more. We can't risk drawing too much attention.'

With that, Eragon and Brom made their way toward the city of Gil'ead.

10 minutes later, they could already see what they were up against. The city was fortified, with tall stone walls that encircled it and a massive fortress standing at its heart. Guard towers dotted the perimeter, manned by soldiers whose watchful eyes missed nothing. It was a city prepared for war, and the tension in the air was palpable.

"We'll have to be careful, Gil'ead is no small town, and the Empire's forces here are strong. We will need to be discreet, do not attract attention." Brom muttered, as they approached the main gate slowly. He tugged the hood of his cloak lower over his face, ensuring that his features were obscured.

Eragon nodded, his eyes scanning the walls for any sign of weakness. He then followed suit and hide his face, his own cloak covering the Zar'roc sword that hung at his side.

They entered the city without incident, the guards barely sparing them a glance among the sea of people. Once inside, the narrow streets teemed with people—merchants hawking their wares, travelers hurrying to and fro, and soldiers marching in tight formations. The city felt alive, but there was a darkness hanging over it, a heaviness that weighed on the atmosphere.

Brom led the way through the winding streets, his steps purposeful as they moved deeper into the heart of the city. All the while, Eragon kept his senses sharp, his mind attuned to any snippets of conversation that might reveal the information they sought.

Hours passed as they mingled among the crowds, keeping their ears open for any useful tidbits. It wasn't until noon that they finally heard what they had been waiting for.

Two soldiers, standing near a market stall, spoke in low voices. Eragon caught a fragment of their conversation.

"…that elf in the fortress…heard her beauty is otherworldly... shame the Shade's got her locked up tight..."

Eragon's heart raced at the mention of the elf. He glanced at Brom, who had clearly heard the same thing. The old rider gave a barely perceptible nod, signaling that it was time to act.

Brom led Eragon into a deserted alley, away from prying eyes. Once they were certain they were alone, Brom turned to Eragon with a serious expression.

"We've got what we came for, Arya is in the fortress as we assumed." Brom said. "I'm going to leave the city and join Saphira to wait for your signal. You'll stay here and act when you deem fit. Eragon, if anything goes wrong, don't hesitate to retreat. Understand?"

Eragon nodded, though a part of him was eager to face the challenge head-on. "I will pay attention," he said with a small smile. "But you be careful too. We need to play our parts well, especially you and Saphira, or this will all be for nothing."

Brom snorted, dismissing Eragon's concern with a wave of his hand. "Just wait and see, boy. I've been through worse than this. You focus on your part and don't mess up."

If Brom's didn't think his own part in the plan was more dangerous then Eragon's, he would have insisted on switching roles.

Then, to Eragon's surprise, Brom reached out and pulled him into a brief hug. "Stay safe," he murmured before stepping back and giving Eragon one last stern look. "And don't take any unnecessary risks."

Eragon, felt both comforted and emboldened by Brom's gesture. "I promise." he said sincerely.

He smile widened, and with that final exchange, they turned in opposite directions. Brom slipped into the shadows, heading toward the city gates where Saphira waited in her hiding spot a short ride away. Eragon, meanwhile, pulled the hood of his cloak low over his face, concealing his features as he made his way through the bustling streets of Gil'ead.

---

[Pain Resistance Level 169]

[Radiation Resistance Level 194]

[Fatigue Resistance Level 222]

[Abrasion Resistance Level 152]

[Heat Resistance Level 180]

[Blunt Force Resistance Level 121]

[Oxygen Deprivation Resistance Level 87]

[Vertigo Resistance Level 79]

[Irritant Resistance Level 23]

[Cold Resistance Level 153]

[Poison Resistance Level 45]

[Sleep Deprivation Resistance Level 163]

[Alcohol Resistance Level 12]

[Cut Resistance Level 65]

[Hunger Resistance Level 76]

[Pressure Resistance Level 21]

[Dehydration Resistance Level 77]

[Sickness Resistance Level 21]

[Virus Resistance Level 3]

[Sensory Overload Resistance Level 54]

[Magic Resistance Level 99]

[Mental Invasion Resistance Level 90]